Cost of Living Comparison Between Longyan and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Longyan and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $455 per month in Longyan vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $753 per month in Longyan vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,052 per month in Longyan vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Longyan is about 51% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Longyan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Longyan 67% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.03 ¥20.32
$2.08 ฿69.3
45.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.97 ¥147
$19.61 ฿653
12.03%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.23 ¥35.04
$5.67 ฿189
-7.76%
Cappuccino
$2.25 ¥15.06
$1.81 ฿60.1
24.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ¥3.27
$0.77 ฿25.56
-36.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ¥1.79
$0.35 ฿11.49
-22.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.85 ¥5.70
$2.21 ฿73.7
-61.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 ¥11.22
$3.79 ฿126
-55.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.07 ¥13.87
$2.05 ฿68.1
0.98%
White Bread (500g)
$1.46 ¥9.81
$1.51 ฿50.4
-3.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.71 ¥4.75
$1.40 ฿46.54
-49.29%
Eggs
$1.51 ¥10.14
$2.26 ฿75.1
-33.19%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.33 ¥49.14
$16.19 ฿539
-54.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.96 ¥19.83
$2.90 ฿96.4
2.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.26 ¥62.1
$9.42 ฿313
-1.70%
Apples (1kg)
$1.86 ¥12.47
$2.68 ฿89.1
-30.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 ¥8.79
$1.09 ฿36.25
20.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.70 ¥11.37
$1.62 ฿53.8
4.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.12 ¥7.48
$1.46 ฿48.58
-23.29%
Potato (1kg)
$0.85 ¥5.67
$1.28 ฿42.51
-33.59%
Onion (1kg)
$0.99 ¥6.60
$1.06 ฿35.19
-6.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.43 ¥2.89
$0.72 ฿23.86
-40.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ¥3.51
$0.53 ฿17.50
-1.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.26 ¥21.87
$4.23 ฿141
-22.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.10 ¥81.1
$18.29 ฿609
-33.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 ¥5.14
$1.63 ฿54.2
-52.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16 ¥7.77
$2.90 ฿96.5
-60.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.13 ¥0.86
$0.88 ฿29.22
-85.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.8 ฿1,789
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.06 ¥7.11
$1.17 ฿39.02
-9.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 ¥3.13
$0.58 ฿19.24
-18.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.61 ¥51.0
$2.39 ฿79.4
218.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ¥8.14
$1.45 ฿48.25
-15.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4K ¥129.9K
$21.0K ฿699.1K
-7.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.3K ¥102.6K
$26.4K ฿879.1K
-42.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.1 ¥436
$63.7 ฿2,118
2.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.70 ¥105
$12.89 ฿429
21.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.09 ¥60.9
$20.52 ฿683
-55.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$39.02 ฿1,298
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.51 ¥30.21
$3.92 ฿130
15.05%
Cinema Ticket
$7.29 ¥48.86
$6.58 ฿219
10.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$208 ¥1,395
$784 ฿26.1K
-73.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K ¥79.5K
$14.7K ฿488.2K
-19.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.86 ¥200
$55.1 ฿1,834
-45.82%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.78 ¥99.0
$24.74 ฿823
-40.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.7 ¥507
$94.1 ฿3,132
-19.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.9 ¥643
$74.0 ฿2,461
29.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$490 ฿16.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$288 ฿9,588
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$376 ¥2,516
$891 ฿29.7K
-57.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$521 ฿17.3K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,974 ฿65.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,321 ¥8,849
$1,444 ฿48.1K
-8.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Longyan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$499 ¥3,341
$602 ฿20.0K
-17.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.22
5.57
-42.19%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Longyan: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 21% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $22.00 in Longyan versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $181 in Longyan vs $241 in Chiang Mai – so Longyan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Longyan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Longyan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 105% more than Longyan, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Longyan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $683 per month in Longyan and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Longyan and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $22.00 in Longyan and $20.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Longyan or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 33% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Longyan or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Longyan, where all-in costs run around $455, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Longyan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Longyan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Longyan costs $455 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Longyan compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Longyan or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Longyan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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